Amazingly consistent Colts keep rolling along

CHARGERS' NEXT OPPONENT

The way the Colts post 12-win seasons, you'd think they were just going to the store for a dozen eggs. Even when they don't win a division title, they win 12 games. Even when they lose four of their first seven games, they wind up winning 12 games.

And that's minimum for the Colts, who've won at least a dozen games for the past six years, including seasons of 14 and 13 wins since 2002. That was the year Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning were married, so to speak, and it remains a most beautiful relationship.

Although Dungy admits to the possibility that when this season ends, possibly Saturday, he'll go home and give serious consideration to retirement from coaching.

All the more reason why the Colts, who had their Super Bowl reign ended by the Chargers about this time last year, are well-motivated to win another. They've come through a difficult year, Manning putting together another MVP-type season despite all sorts of serious knee problems, the Colts persevering through a rocky start to win nine straight.

Because of the history involved and the odds they beat in their own late surge to the playoffs, the Chargers ostensibly are this year's “team that nobody wants to play,” but who in their right mind would want to start off the postseason with this bunch from the rip-out-your-Heartland?

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (12-4, second place in the AFC South)

(5 p.m., Saturday, Qualcomm Stadium)

1. Peyton Manning, QB: Justifiably, much ado was made about Philip Rivers just becoming the only quarterback since Dan Fouts to throw for more than 4,000 yards and how he's only the second San Diego quarterback ever to do it. Manning's thrown for at least 4,000 yards nine of the past 10 years. Among the biggest mistakes the Chargers made this year was leaving Manning a whole 90 seconds to beat them, and he did, throwing for yardage instead of touchdowns to set up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning field goal on Nov. 23. Scary thing is, after being hampered in the early going of 2008 by gnarly knee trouble, Manning seems to be just warming up his game.

2. Bob Sanders, SS. Of all the players LaDainian Tomlinson could expect to run into Saturday – including defensive-line monsters like Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, of all the Indianapolis linebackers – the one he mentioned first when asked about the Colts defense was a safety. Not just any safety is named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, as Sanders was last year, and it wasn't for his ball-hawking prowess. Offenses can't take their eyes off Sanders because he's in on so many tackles and big hits, a deterrent to both the passing and running games. The difference he makes in Indy's defense has been apparent all season, first by his absence from nine games because of knee and high-ankle injuries, including the game at San Diego. He was withheld from last week's meaningless game at Tennessee, too, but is ready to go against the Chargers.

3. Dallas Clark, TE. Is it just Peyton Manning, or does it not seem like Clark's always running around with the ball when Indy's on offense? Actually, Manning still has a wide selection of receivers in Reggie Wayne, Anthony Gonzalez and Marvin Harrison, the latter of whom is wrapping up his sentimental farewell tour with the Colts. But the Chargers are doing a much better job of defending wideouts since the November game. They're still struggling to get a grip on pass-catching tight ends, though, and Clark is almost up there with Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez as a receiver.

P.S. (Player not to watch if you're a Chargers fan. If you see Adam Vinatieri coming onto the field, you might want to look away from what's about to happen.)

FAMILIAR FACES

One of the Colts' top defenders is linebacker Freddy Keiaho, who was a fullback when first reporting to San Diego State, but made All-Mountain West on defense. Rod Perry, special assistant to the defense, was on the Chargers staff from 1997 through 2001. So was offensive line coach Howard Mudd from 1974-76.

INJURY REPORT

Tony Dungy already has declared the Colts' middle linebacker, Gary Brackett, out of Saturday's game with a cracked bone in his right leg. Running back Dominic Rhodes (rib) and wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez (hip) are deemed probable.

SERIES HISTORY

The Chargers seemed to have the Colts' number, winning three straight games against Indianapolis – two of those at Indy, one of those in last year's playoffs. But the Colts had the last laugh on San Diego, winning their regular-season game of 2008 on a last-gasp field goal at Qualcomm Stadium. Overall, the Chargers are 15-10 against the Colts, whether their first name was Baltimore or Indianapolis.

DID YOU KNOW?

The Chargers might have preferred, but probably not, that this game was in Indianapolis. San Diego is 11-3 in road games against the Colts, who don't have a worse home mark vs. any other team in the NFL. The Colts are 7-4 at San Diego, however.

DID YOU HEAR?

“We've overcome a lot as a team. The one thing that was always inaccurately labeled was the seasons we were starting out 6-0, 8-0, 13-0. Everybody kinda thought it was easy. It never was. It's never easy.”

– Peyton Manning about the early-season struggles of 2008.

BY THE NUMBERS

45,628: Yards thrown by Peyton Manning in 11 regular seasons.

122.7: Manning's passer rating on passes No. 21 through 30 in games this season, including 11 TDs and no interceptions.